FISHATHON

It’s easy to let the news of earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear power plant failures and budget cuts get you down.  The news seemed grim recently as ten volunteers prepared to host 100 teenagers from Houston Parks and Recreation centers at a spring break fishing trip. Was it really important to take kids fishing while all these serious events were happening?  We had our doubts.

And then, the kids arrived.  It was like a switch was suddenly turned on. All the negatives melted away as we saw the lights go on for youngsters catching their very first fish and smiling from ear to ear.  One young man caught an eight and a half pound largemouth bass, a catch envied by all!  With an expression of sheer joy and pride, the boy had his picture taken as he released that great fish back into the water.  Along with being a momentary hero among his peers, he will never forget his encounter with both the fish and the habitat which sustains it. 

Helping kids make those connections is what Jr. Angler and Hunters of America is all about.  As JrAHA volunteers, we knew that fishing trip made a difference in those kids’ lives…and in ours.

And so we partner with folks who have the same goals.  Along with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Keith Miller is one of our partners.  Keith has challenged himself to catch at least one fish a day every day for 365 days, starting on April 1^st.  Why take on this challenge when he already has a full-time job and family commitments?  Keith has been struck by the number of college students who visit his office and ask him about his fishing photos, sharing with him the fact that they have never been fishing before.  Keith wants to contribute to our efforts and to bring attention to this critical need to connect kids to our outdoor heritage.

If you would like to join with us, cheer Keith on, and bet whether or not he can meet his challenge, you can make a pledge of only seven cents a day for each of the 365 consecutive days that he catches a fish.  That adds up to a $25 pledge for the Fishathon 2011-12.  

For each $25 that are raised by Keith’s fishing challenge, we can provide six hours of fishing classes, loaner equipment and a day-long fishing trip for an individual student.  Funds raised through Keith’s fishing challenge will be used to support JrAHA's 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which provides fishing programs to Houston ISD, Houston Parks & Recreation’s Summer Youth Program and to other partnering non-profits dedicated to getting youth outdoors.  Inner city junior and senior high school students are also eligible for competitive JrAHA angler education scholarships designed to encourage students to stay in school, graduate and then to further their education.

To connect to Keith’s Facebook page and watch his progress through the year, go to: http://www.facebook.com/texasanglereducators#!/pages/Catching-a-Fish-a-Day-with-Keith-Miller/178979678799415